Dispenser



1955 G. F. RUSSELL ETAL 3,220,609

DISPENSER Filed June 16, 1965 INVENTORS 61 101265 E RUSSELL CHARLES L CLE'EK WW UM ATTORMEI United States Patent 3,220,609 DISPENSER George F. Russell, Sherman Oaks, Charles L, Cleek,

Pacific Paiisades, and Robert I. Maxwell, Venice, Calif,

assignors to Robert Maxwell Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif., a corporation of California Filed June 16, 1965, Ser. No. 464,469 4 (Ilaims. (Cl. 22278) This application is a continuation-in-part of Serial No. 419,497 filed Dec. 18, 1964.

This invention relates in general to flexible wall dispensers and atomizers, and relates more specifically to a combination toy and dispenser combining practical and aesthetic qualities.

This invention has general attributes of squirt guns, squeeze bottle dispensers, and suction cup toys. It is no one of these things, and nevertheless is a combination of all.

It is an object of this invention to provide a combination toy-and-dispenser which will appeal to all age brackets.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenser which may thereafter be converted to toy use.

It is still further an object of this invention to provide a toy squirt device of novel appearance having stability anchoring surfaces for controlled aim.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for liquids and paste which may be secured on a convenient surface adjacent the area where dispensing is required, by means of a flexible attachment vacuum cup which will permit tilting and guidance of the dispensing nozzle.

And yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel suction cup nozzle having a central connection with a vacuum-destroying fluid container, and a peripheral vacuum area isolated from the central portion, in order to enable a liquid dispenser to be held by the dispensing end in a vacuum cup action.

For a full understanding of the invention, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the Dispenser will now be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one physical embodiment of one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross section of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 through the dispensing nozzle of the device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section view of the nozzle taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section through the protruding eye taken along line 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary illustration of the vacuum tip portion of the modification shown in FIGURE 2, with the vacuum cup in its natural form as opposed to the flattened holding configuration shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a section of a modified nozzle including a peripheral vacuum cup, substantially as taken along the line 66 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the modified nozzle;

FIGURE 8 is a section through the nozzle of another type molded form, together with a tool shown inserting an alternate nozzle device; and

FIGURE 9 is a section of the finished product nozzle.

The drawing illustrates a novel form of the present invention, designed to appeal to kids of all ages. It is suggestive of some sort of animal or bug.

Physically, the invention embodies a stylized hollow globoid It of flexible free-standing form. Modern synthetic materials are replacing rubber in much of the present-day flexible body toys. Preferably the body 10 will "ice be a synthetic material which is flexible and has suflicient strength to stand without external or internal support other than its own elastic memory.

The globoid 10 is molded with an integral vacuum cup base 12, which may be referred to as a foot in the context of the stylized animal motif of the preferred embodiment. The base 12 is provided to adhere to a smooth flat surface 14, in the manner of' vacuum cups generally.

The animal motif is carried out by the provision of back stripes 16 and a curled bit of excess material 18 suggesting a tail. Pop eyes 20 provide a humorous and grotesque appearance which is matched by a snout in the form of a tube 22. Tube 22 has an axial through-opening 24 extending from the interior of the globoid to atmosphere. Between the ends of the tube 22, a portion of the through-opening 24 is enlarged to provide a chamber 26 having shoulders 28 and 30. A nozzle 32 is formed to fit tightly into the chamber 26 and to be held against longitudinal displacement in either direction by the shoulders 28 and 30. Nozzle 32 has an opening 34 to establish the amount of fluid which may be dispensed from the interior of the globoid upon application of external squeezing pressure. The opening 34 may be formed to provide almost any desired results. The pin hole form shown in the drawing will provide a squirt stream of many feet for water fight games, and, because of the locked nature provided by the shoulders 30, the nozzle 32 will not dislodge under extreme pressures. The opening 34 may be altered in size and shape to dispense creams, oils, pastes or any other fluid or semi-fluid material, or even dusts and powders, as desired, if the device is to be used for a comercial purpose before becoming a toy.

Thus, this invention may be supplied as a toy, or it provides a convenient dispenser and after being emptied, may be employed by children as a play toy. In some instances, the nozzle 32 is supplied as an extra piece to be inserted later, in order that the full size of the axial opening 24 may be employed to dispense materials, such as heavy tooth past. After the contents are used, the nozzle is then inserted to provide a toy of long usefulness.

As a novel decorative effect in this illustrated embodiment, the pop eyes 20 are provided with an axial opening 36 having a shoulder 38 and overhang 40. An eye 41 is then insertable into this cavity and retained by the overhang 4%) against dislodgment during even the most strenuous play or distending forces from the interior.

A novel and unique feature of the invention is illustrated in the FIGURES 6 and 7. The vacuum cup base 12 provides normal attachment for both games and dispensing, but the cup nozzle shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 provides an hilarious alternative wherein the animal sticks by its nose for a well-deserved rest.

A vacuum cup of normal constructiin, having a through opening 24 to the interior of globoid 10, opening at the center of the cup, was found to be inoperative and would fail to hold even a partially filled globoid. Although this may appear illogical, it is readily understood when the principles of chemistry and physics are applied. The body of the globoid may be deformed inwardly'to provide a tendency to return to full size and hence create an initial sub-atmospheric pressure in such a vacuum cup nozzle. But the water, or other fluid in the container, will quickly evaporate to neutralize the low pressure and therefore destroy the necessary pressure differential.

A'unique discovery has been made according to this invention to enable that to be done which otherwise appears to be impossible. In the FIGURES 6 and 7, the tube 22 is modified to provide what appears to be a conventional vacuum cup, indicated by the'reference number 45. However, the vacuum cup is modified from conventional construction, such as that shown in FIGURE 5, by the provision of an annular cup formation created by a raised center ridge 50 surrounding the central opening 24.

In FIGURE 6, it will be seen that the central area 50 does not extend to the height of the surrounding rim of cup 45. Thus, when the toy is pressed against a sur face to create a vacuum in cup 45, the material of the cup is distended in the usual manner of attaching a vacuum cup, and such distention will bring the rim of the raised portion 50 into contact with the flat surface upon which the cup is to be attached. Then, the rim of the raised portion 50 and the outer rim of the cup 45 will be in the same plane. However, such condition is not the natural condition of the material, and therefore the elastic memory of the resilient material from which the cup is made will tend to withdraw and thereby produce a pressure differential.

This pressure differential is confined to the annular area around the opening 24, and the opening 24 is sealed off against the flat surface upon which the cup 45 is attached. Therefore, it does not matter Whether the contents of the globoid is above or below atmospheric pressure, with the limitation that the pressure may not exceed that which will cause the vacuum cup to be broken from its holdings. That is, if the pressure is raised to such an extent that the back pressure exerted through the opening 24 overcomes the atmospheric difierential, then the vacuum is broken and the piece would fall from the holding. This is precisely the manner of conveniently withdrawing the toy from such nose-held rest position. A slight pressure on the body of the figure will increase the pressure sufficiently to break the grip and the usual disengagement by lifting the edge of the cup is not needed.

This combination toy and dispenser has proven to be unique in both dispensing and play. As an example, the combination of the hollow globoid above the vacuum foot will permit the toy to be dropped from a considerable height and will adhere to the surface at which it is aimed with great proportion of success. However, the greater value appears to be found in the fact that the vacuum cup base will enable dispensing, for play or for more serious purposes, by pressing directly down on the top of the globoid body without the need of grasping and pressing sideways as normally required. The top of this particular construction is unencumbered and accessible for such pressure.

Mass production techniques take advantage of centrifugal force to mold hollow, flexible devices, and in the molding by this method, it is difficult to produce an open-through passageway such as the passageway 24. Therefore, in the mass production of toys according to this invention it is possible to place a core in the mold to produce a cavity which resembles an open snout, for example, but a wall will form over the end of the core and close off the cavity against communication with the interior of the globoid. Therefore, as the globoid comes from the molding machines, it is a sealed wall device, essentially like a rubber ball.

In the FIGURE 8, the snout of a commercially formed toy animal is indicated by the reference character 60. An outer cavity 62 has been molded by a core, and an inner cavity 64 is formed which is essentially part of the interior open cavity of the globoid. A wall 66 bridges between the outer cavity 62 and the inner cavity 64. This wall must be opened in order to allow the necessary through-passageway construction served by the open passageway 24 in FIGURE 2.

Although it is possible to burn away enough of the wall 66 to produce an opening, and then insert a preformed nozzle construction, it has been discovered that a faster operation and more suitable squirt nozzle may be produced by impaling the wall 66 with a small interior diameter tube 68. Such an impaled condition is illustrated in FIGURE 9, which is the cross section through the snout of a toy animal in finished condition, according to the principles of this invention.

The FIGURE 8 shows a suitable tool employed for impaling the wall 66. The tool may be automatic or hand operated, but essentially the function is to support the tube 68 and cause it to follow a piercing needle lead until it is placed in proper position.

A needle 70 having a shank 72 provides for such penetration and support.

The needle 70 has a point shaft 74 separated from shank 72 by means of shoulder 76. The shoulder 76 is substantially identical to the wall thickness of the plastic tube 68, whereas the outside diameter of the point shaft 74 at the shoulder area 76 is equivalent to the internal diameter of the plastic tube 68. Thus the internal diameter, as indicated by the reference character 78 in FIGURE 9, is in fact a passageway functioning as the passageway 24 of FIGURE 2. However, in this instance, the passageway serves the combined function of transport and the nozzle function equivalent to the device 32.

A guide 80 is shaped to fit into the outer cavity 62 and direct the point of the point shaft 74 in the center area of the wall 66. The guide 80 and the needle 70 are reciprocal such that the needle may draw back into the guide 80 and carry the plastic tube 68 back into the guide. Conversely speaking, the guide 80 may project out over the point shaft portion 78 to envelop the tube 68.

Then, by placing the guide 80 into the outer cavity 62, the needle 70 is caused to move forward through the guide, penetrating the wall 66 and forcing the tube 68 to move through the pierced wall.

Note that by this construction the opening which is pierced by the needle is not sufiiciently large enough to allow the tube 68 to pass through. Hence, the tube 68 must force the material aside and penetrate. However, the forcing required by the tube 68 is not a piercing or cutting force which would be impossible for such a blunt tube. Rather it is a continuing of the expansion of the opening made by the point shaft 74.

Furthermore, the close fit of guide 80 over the shank 72 of the needle insures a close fit over the outer surface of the tube 68. Thus, the tube 68 is confined within a close chamber and therefore is given the necessary backing strength to permit the tube to penetrate the wall.

After the tube has penetrated to the position shown in FIGURE 9, the needle 70 is reversed and the guide and needle then removed from the snout of the animal.

The plastic tube 68, however, will be gripped in a tight frictional grip of the material by reason of forcing itself into such material. There is little friction-a1 adhesion between the needle and the tube, and therefore the needle readily pulls away from the tube and allows it to remain in the active position shown in FIGURE 9.

Further, the construction illustrated provides the ability to rotate the dispenser in its vacuum foot base and therefore bath oils and tooth paste may be dispensed by turning the entire globoid around an axis extending through the vacuum foot. Thus, by attachment of the vacuum foot to a vertical wall, the tube 24 may be turned to point downwardly for dispensing, and then twisted to turn upwardly and prevent dripping. Mounted alongside a bathtub, this enables the dispenser to turn and squirt a selected amount of liquid into the tub and then be turned to a non-dispensing and non-drip position. In such storage position it is decorative and humorous but does not drip its contents onto the tub. Nevertheless, expensive nozzles and valves are not required.

Children find that the devices are attractive for play and enable the children to aim and control the aim by attaching the base to a smooth flat surface and aiming across the projecting tubular nozzle.

It is recognized that the intriguing novel appearance of this combination toy-and-dispenser may well be a large factor in its. exciting acceptance, but the practical value of the combination has also been proven to be a factor rendering the dispenser valuable long after the original novelty of appearance has subsided.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination toy and dispenser, comprising:

a stylized, collapsible, hollow globoid of flexible freestanding form;

a vacuum cup base carried by said globoid;

said globoid having a top surface positioned opposite said vacuum cup base;

a tube projecting laterally of said top surface from said globoid in cantilever form, said tube having an axial through opening from said globoid to atmosphere;

said tube having nozzle means therein defining a portion of an axial through opening from said globoid to atmosphere;

said globoid being collapsible by movement of said top surface toward said base; and

said globoid having a wall between said base and said tube of collapse-resistant thickness supporting said tube and providing resistance to downward movement of said tube,

whereby said tube rotates to remain in fluid conducting communication with the liquid in the container at all times and providing a progressively upwardly directed attitude of said tube in proportion to the degree of top wall collapse.

2. A combination toy and dispenser, comprising:

a stylized, collapsible, hollow globoid of flexible freestanding form;

a vacuum cup base carried by said globoid;

said globoid having a top surface positioned opposite said vacuum cup base;

a tube projecting laterally of said top surface from said globoid in cantilever form, said tube having an axial through opening from said globoid to atmosphere;

said tube having a nozzle chamber intermediate the ends thereof, said chamber having a diameter larger than the said through opening and set off by shoulders at each end thereof; and

a removable nozzle insert residing in said chamber, said insert being dimensioned to fit snugly in said chamber and thereby held against discharge from the tube by longitudinal restraint of said shoulders, said nozzle insert having a discharge opening centered in said tube and adjacent the tube end for projecting fluid free of tube restraint.

3. A combination toy and dispenser, comprising:

a hollow globoid of flexible wall material;

a tube having an axial through opening from the interior of the globoid, said tube projecting from said globoid in cantilever form;

said tube having a vacuum cup configunation ending defined by an outer annular rim established in a first plane, a central through opening entering into the cup, a central rim surrounding said through opening and establishing a second plane within said cup offset from said first plane; and

an annular vacuum cup trough surrounding said central opening and within the outer rim, said cup being flexible and the material thereof yieldable to en- :able the cup to be pressed against a surface until the second plane and the first plane merge against the surface to seal off the said through opening and provide a pressure differential in said annular groove with respect to atmospheric pressure exterior of the cup.

4. A combination toy and dispenser; comprising:

a stylized, collapsible, hollow globoid of flexible freestanding form;

a vacuum cup base carried by said globoid;

said globoid having a top surface positioned opposite said vacuum cup base;

a tube projecting laterally of said top surface from said globoid in cantilever form, said tube having a central passageway blocked off by a wall;

a nozzle tube impaled through said wall and held by resilient grip of said wall tube thereon; and

said nozzle tube having an inside configuration sized to cause a selected dispensing action.

No references cited.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

C. R. CARTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION TOY AND DISPENSER, COMPRISING: A STYLIZED, COLLAPSIBLE, HOLLOW GLOBOID OF FLEXIBLE FREESTANDING FORM; A VACUUM CUP BASE CARRIED BY SAID GLOBOID; SAID GLOBOID HAVING A TOP SURFACE POSITIONED OPPOSITE SAID VACUUM CUP BASE; A TUBE PROJECTING LATERALLY OF SAID TOP SURFACE FROM SAID GLOBOID IN CANTILEVER FORM, SAID TUBE HAVING AN AXIAL THROUGH OPENING FROM SAID GLOBOID TO ATMOSPHERE; SAID TUBE HAVING NOZZLE MEANS THEREIN DEFINING A PORTION OF AN AXIAL THROUGH OPENING FROM SAID GLOBOID TO ATMOSPHERE; SAID GLOBOID BEING COLLAPSIBLE BY MOVEMENT OF SAID TOP SURFACE TOWARD SAID BASE; AND SAID GLOBOID HAVING A WALL BETWEEN SAID BASE AND SAID TUBE OF COLLAPSE-RESISTANT THICKNESS SUPPORTING SAID TUBE AND PROVIDING RESISTANCE TO DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID TUBE, WHEREBY SAID TUBE ROTATES TO REMAIN IN FLUID CONDUCTING COMMUNICATION WITH THE LIQUID IN THE CONTAINER AT ALL TIMES AND PROVIDING A PROGRESSIVELY UPWARDLY DIRECTED ATTITUDE OF SAID TUBE IN PROPORTION TO THE DEGREE OF TOP WALL COLLAPSE. 